[cma-l] PRS, PPL and VAT

Thu Jan 5 17:46:12 GMT 2017

I don’t think there are many stations that don’t have some form of business activity, but yes Shane, if it is a wholly exempt operation with no trading activity then you can’t register.

HMRC will of course try to reject an application if they think they can avoid registering a business that they suspect might end up being a net recipient of VAT refunds, but as long as you carry on some sort of trading/business activity, even a small one, and whether or not for profit, such as sometimes charging for training, selling adverts (including on your website, which any station can do), renting out studio time etc, then they have to accept a registration.

We registered before going on air and before we had started any trading, on the basis that we were planning to offer some paid-for training and charge local musicians for occasional use of our studio facilities.

Bear in mind that the definition of ‘business’ for VAT is not what you or I might think of as business. Essentially, as long as you are reasonably often supplying goods or services in return for payment (whether in cash or kind) that is a business for VAT.

Alex

From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Shane Carey
Sent: 05 January 2017 17:29
To: The Community Media Association Discussion List <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [cma-l] PRS, PPL and VAT

Have just been through VAT registration with HMRC. A big problem for our sector is that many of us fall into the 'VAT exempt' category, providing education/ certain services which mean we don't have to charge it, but still have to pay it and can't reclaim it. Not really much of an advantage for us as it goes into the treasury coffers. 

Shane Carey

CEO

0207 064 5506
 <http://www.reprezent.org.uk/> reprezent.org.uk
Bussey Building, Studio C3, 133 Copeland Rd, London SE15 3SN

      <http://www.reprezent.org.uk/> 

      <https://twitter.com/ReprezentRadio>     <https://www.youtube.com/user/ReprezentRadio>     <https://soundcloud.com/reprezent-107-3fm>     <https://www.linkedin.com/profile/public-profile-settings?trk=prof-edit-edit-public_profile>       

On 5 January 2017 at 17:02, Bill Best <bill.best at commedia.org.uk <mailto:bill.best at commedia.org.uk> > wrote:

Good evening

Application of VAT has nothing to do with PPL and PRS for Music. It would be an HMRC issue.

Best regards

Bill

-- 

Operations Manager

Community Media Association

http://www.commedia.org.uk

https://twitter.com/community_media

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On 5 January 2017 at 15:59, Betar Bangla Ltd <betarbangla at gmail.com <mailto:betarbangla at gmail.com> > wrote:

hi everybody,

Fantasy radio should know that a lot of community radio stations are not registered for VAT due to low income. Fantasy radio might be earning a huge amount of money, and they are registered, but what about us as we can not claim back what we would pay them as VAT. PRS and PPL should removeed VAT from their invoices and also they should refund all VAT they charged to all community radio station till today.

I beleive that CMA should take initiative to solve these with PRS and PPL in the interest of Community radio stations.

thanks

On 5 January 2017 at 14:44, fantasy office <office at fantasyradio.co.uk <mailto:office at fantasyradio.co.uk> > wrote:

Good afternoon.

I have tried to resist joining in - but I feel I must.

I am very happy with the PRS PPL deal - it means, with a simple payment, we can play all the music in the world on our station, with no logging, returns, or other encumberance. It's a damn good deal. 80 percent of our output is music and I'm very thankful for that. It brings us an audience, without which, we may as well all go home.

Community radio is a business - we need to pay for things so we have something to sell. It's as plain as that.
Electricity, broadband, phone lines, Ofcom licence, PRS and PPL are the lifeblood of what we do. Of course, if you can get a better deal somewhere, that's good news. 

And what's the problem with VAT? Anybody with any business sense knows that if you have to pay VAT and you're registered, YOU CLAIM IT BACK. This applies to telephone, fuel, equipment and more.

When we started our first RSLs, then applied for our community licence, we just looked at the rules, did the costings and worked it out from there. It really is that simple. We took the decision and we made it work.

Please, let's concentrate on producing great radio for our listeners and it will all work out fine. Don't try to reinvent the wheel - it may not be perfect but it works pretty well.

Peace and love in 2017 to all our colleagues in CR.

Phil Dawson
FANTASY RADIO 97FM
Devizes,
Wiltshire.

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Golam M Chowdhury
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Betar Bangla Ltd.
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London E1 0BB

betarbangla at gmail.com <mailto:betarbangla at gmail.com> 
020 7790 7970
www. <http://www.betarbangla.org.uk> betarbangla.net <http://betarbangla.net> 

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